“He who is to be purified must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water. Then he will be clean; and after that, he may enter the camp; but he must live outside his tent for seven days.” - Leviticus 14:8 - CJB

Here we are still sitting in quarantine, washing our hands and sanitizing everything. Rituals that we do every day, now seem to have become a chore for some. So many people complain when it comes to being told what to do and how to do it. This isn’t the first-time people have had to isolate themselves from others in order to either heal or keep themselves well. There have been many pandemics all throughout history where guidelines needed to be followed in order to stay well, most notably in the Bible. All throughout Leviticus it talks about diseases, describing them in great detail. Adonai speaks to Moses and Aaron about these diseases and gives guidelines on how to take care of one’s self if they’ve been exposed. There are many cases all throughout the Bible where we are given guidelines on how to care for ourselves against diseases. For many years Bible has been an acronym meaning, Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. This is a time that we need to turn ourselves more toward Adonai and his word, his instruction. His word is truth. He is our rock and fortress. Trusting in Adonai doesn’t mean we should live haphazardly. If we abide in him, he will abide in us. So, when we must go outdoors to run errands, or just to get some fresh air, let’s follow the guidelines we have been given., and be aware of those around us.

Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!Monday Morning Inspirational By Rebbitzen Kat

“Therefore, encourage each other, and build each other up — just as you are doing.”- 1 Thes. 5:11, CJB

We all lead busy lives. Whether through work, congregations, or social gatherings, our days are spent in relationship with others. Hanging out, going places together, these things are part of a long-standing routine.

Now, because if the coronavirus, we find ourselves in quarantine! But, quarantine doesn’t mean we have to isolate from one another. Our lives may be put on hold, but our relationships with others don’t have to be. By phone or through social media, there are many ways to stay in relationship with one another. Many lives have been turned upside down. While some of us may be okay, some might not be. Check in on your family, your friends, your co-workers, and your fellow-congregants. Check in to see how they are doing and let them know you’re okay. See if there’s anything they need. Give words of encouragement and build each other up.

We may have to be socially distant, but we can still be social. Let’s continue to love one another.

​“Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving.” ~ Philippians 4:6, CJB

As we all know, there are many businesses that are taking precautions by closing down due to the Coronavirus. There are many that have genuine concerns about how they are going to continue to support their families and get bills paid. I can honestly say God gets us through all things. “Yeshua looked at them and said, … Humanly, this is impossible; but with God everything is possible. (Matthew 19:26)

Early on in my marriage, God had called my husband and I into full-time ministry. The obstacles from the Adversary hit us head on for quite a few years. We had car wrecks, a heart attack, deaths in the family, issues with the children and many layoffs. Still being a fairly new believer, I wasn’t mature enough in my faith to handle the stress of it all. Of course, I would pray, but only after I reacted poorly to every situation that hit us, especially the layoffs. There were many of them between the both of us, which caused me to worry about money all the time! Although I saw God helping us through the kindness of others, I still reacted with panic and worry whenever there was another layoff, and that’s putting it mildly. Then it happened! I was sitting at my computer having my daily conversation with the Lord. I had asked Yeshua to take this angst away from me, I didn’t want to live this way anymore. I didn’t want to have to worry anymore and just then my husband walks in and tells me he had been laid off. I was cool as a cucumber; I recognized it right away. The next day I went to work and got my lay-off notice. I cried for a bit because now we were both laid off at the same time, which never happened before, but I prayed in the moment, and the Lord calmed me down. I was able to finish out the school year, and then we both went on unemployment. My husband and I agreed that he would just focus on seminary and not go back to work. My job was on again, off again, but we continued to pray and we tithed, and the Lord blessed us with everything we needed.

​Being in ministry, many years later, we still live paycheck to paycheck, but I see now where God’s hand was in all of it, and I know that God is still seeing us through. Now, does that mean I don’t worry from time to time? Of course, I do unfortunately, that’s human nature. But, my years in ministry has helped me mature and grow into a true woman of God. When things get hard, I go to Yeshua, and I wait on him.

My message to any of you who may be affected by the consequences of the Coronavirus is that worry gives us nothing but anxiety, and then that trickles down to our children. Take your prayers to Yeshua and wait on him. You may not see God’s hand in your situation now, but you will. Believe that he will get you through, and he will. God does not lie, he does everything he’s says he will. Put your trust and faith in him and not in the things going on around you. You are not alone in this. When good things come your way, choose to see God.

“And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other.” Hebrews (Messianic Jews) 10:24, CJB

Friendships are essential to one’s body, mind and soul. Although we are individuals, it wasn’t meant for us to be alone with ourselves. We need stimulation, we need contact, we need to know we are loved. God wants us to love one another the way he loves us. The best way to love one another is to build up those relationships with the people around us. Form a friendship with someone who needs a friend, especially with the new believers around you. Help them to transition into this new way of life they’ve found. Help them to know Gods love for them. For those who haven’t been able to be with your congregation because of issues going on in their lives, reach out to them, let them know they haven’t been forgotten.

“But the time is coming — indeed, it’s here now — when the true worshippers will worship the Father spiritually and truly, for these are the kind of people the Father wants worshipping him.” - John 4:23, CJB

A good lesson on how we worship during services, happens when you have no lyrics to look at. Lately our congregation has been without a projector to display lyrics to the songs we sing. I noticed that our people weren’t engaging in the music as much, and I gently reminded them that it’s the heart we worship with, that they just need to close their eyes and feel his presence. As we resumed with our music time, the hands went up. It has been the most wonderful worship time not having those lyrics. I’m not saying we shouldn’t have lyrics, but it’s a good lesson in real worship. Relying too much on externals, creates a false sense of security. He is our security. He is our redeemer, our rock and our fortress. We need to worship him with our hearts, our minds and our souls. We need to worship him with our whole being. As it says above, “... for these are the kind of people the father wants worshipping him.”

“We worship you oh God in this temple, we worship you in spirit and truth. You inhabit our praises and your presence dwells among us, We worship you in spirit and truth.” - Composer Unknown

​“For you have been delivered by grace through trusting, and even this is not your accomplishment but God’s gift.”- Ephesians 2:8, CJB

Anything we accomplish in life is God’s gift. We start off knowing this, but some lose sight of this along the way. Through my years in ministry, I’ve heard people go from giving glory to God to just saying thank you when given accolades. It seems they start taking credit for all they do.

There’s nothing wrong with saying “thank you,” but we should never lose sight of how we got to where we are. Remembering God in everything keeps us humble. Being humble gives God the opportunity to strengthen ours gifts, and helps us to continue to grow in him. May we never get so big that we lose sight of him. We can do all things through God who strengthens us.

No matter how cordial a conversation I try to have with some people, the nastiness which comes from their lips is almost horrifying. The bitterness overtakes them and they become like rabid dogs. While others may write them off, I find myself praying for them, praying that they would come to know Yeshua. For if they knew Yeshua, their hearts wouldn’t be so bitter. I know that when I let Yeshua into my heart and started having a real relationship with him, everything in me changed and I became a better person. My whole way of thinking changed. It was no longer all about me, but now all about him. He is what got me through this life; he sustains me. Because of these changes, I am now able to see things in others that I wasn’t able to see before. If he can do this in me, how much more can he do this in them, if they come to know him and let him in.

When you find yourself in a conversation with someone, and it takes a turn for the worse, don’t stoop to their level and return in kind, continue to be cordial. Raise the bar, so they will want to meet you there. Cause them to want what you have. Witness to them, pray for them every day. Pray they come to know Yeshua and let him into their heart. Continue to be that light for them. The love of Yeshua can change everything for them.

​“Finally, all of you, be one in mind and feeling; love as brothers; and be compassionate and humble-minded.” - 1 Peter 3:8, CJB

Yesterday became a sad day when news of the tragic helicopter crash, that claimed nine lives was reported. Although tragic, I saw once again how people will come together in love, with compassion for one another when things like this happen. Any differences they have between them are gone, … if just for a moment. It shouldn’t take such a tragedy to bring us together, we should be together all the time! Even if we have differences of opinions, we should still always love one another. There should not be divisiveness and tearing down of each other over politics and what’s in the news. God wants us to love one another. If we are to be believers in Yeshua, then we should be doing just that.

Whether you’re at work, school, or hanging around town, show love to the people around you today. Don’t let the politics cause division.

Their delight is in Adonai’s Torah; on his Torah they meditate day and night. - Psalm 1:2, JBIt’s Monday; today’s going to be a busy day. You have meetings to plan, deadlines to meet; you can’t be late for work. Maybe you’re the one running around the house trying to get everyone off to their destinations. Last night you set your clock so you would have enough time to get ready for whatever you have to do. Did that include time for morning devotional and prayer? Starting your morning with some alone time in the word, makes for a much more joyful day. Seek him first, make him your first priority every morning. Take delight in Adonai and his word, and everything else you have to do will fall into place. Be a Blessing and Be Blessed!

​“No one should be looking out for his own interests, but for those of his fellow.”- First Corinthians 10:24, CJB

This should not be a hard concept to follow, except many want to help so badly that their own interests overshadow the interests of the person, or persons who are in need. We should never ignore the requests of others, and we should not let ourselves be offended when we are being told no. Sometimes just praying and waiting are the best we can do. All things must be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). We need to step outside ourselves and look at the situation and where our place is in it. We can’t be offended or upset because we’re not getting our own way.

God is the one in charge, God is the one who knows better … “For we trust in you alone, oh King revered and honored God, Master of the universe...”. (Shabbat Torah Service Liturgy)

​In everything we say and in everything we do, remember it’s all about him and not about us.